BRONSON, MI (WTVB) – The Bronson City Council approved a Workshare Program that is being offered by the State of Michigan for city staff members on Monday night which would last for eight weeks.
Many local governments around Michigan are entering into Workshare programs to help deal with reduced state funds due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
City Manager Brandon Mersman proposed that staff hours for non-union employees be reduced by 20 percent or one day a week.
For that day an employee is off, they would not be paid by the city. Instead, they would be paid at a rate of $72 a day in unemployment. The current weekly unemployment benefit is $362. In addition, the federal government under the C.A.R.E.S. is paying an additional $600 a week for employees on unemployment through the end of July.
Mersman estimates the program will save the city over $13,000 over an eight week period.
The city would have to maintain all benefits to employees during this time.
In other business, Mersman said they are targeting the reopening of Bronson City Hall for next Monday with the proper social distancing and hygiene in place.
The Council also approved the wage re-opener with the Police Officers Association of Michigan which represents the Bronson Police Department as part of a three year contract that was ratified last year. The 2021 Fiscal Year budget includes a wage increase for non-union employee while the union and the city have agreed to a two-and-a-half percent wage increase for union officers.
